On-Canvas Spreadsheet Chart Controls for Non-Contiguous Data
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current spreadsheet applications face difficulties in creating, modifying, and presenting charts, especially when dealing with non-contiguous data, requiring users to navigate through multiple steps and applications, making it complex and unintuitive.
Innovation Solution
The technology simplifies chart creation and modification by allowing direct data input on the chart itself, with intuitive controls for selecting data ranges, pre-populating title locations, and providing error messages, while also enabling charts to be embedded in presentation slides and reordered without altering the underlying data, using drag-and-drop functionality and sidebar or pop-up proxies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If users create charts from non-contiguous data in traditional spreadsheet applications, then the chart can be generated, but the process requires navigating through multiple steps and applications making it complex and unintuitive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges chart creation controls directly onto the chart canvas, allowing users to select and configure data ranges, titles, and other chart elements through on-canvas controls rather than navigating through separate applications or complex multi-step processes. This integration eliminates the need to switch between spreadsheet view and chart editing interfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces on-canvas controls as intermediary elements that mediate between the user and the chart data. These controls serve as a direct interface for selecting non-contiguous data ranges, configuring titles, and adjusting chart parameters without requiring users to navigate through traditional spreadsheet menus or multiple applications.
2Ease of operation
If users modify chart data through traditional spreadsheet methods, then the underlying data can be changed, but users must alter the source data structure which may affect other parts of the spreadsheet
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the chart modification process into independent on-canvas controls for different chart elements (data ranges, titles, axes, etc.). Users can modify individual chart parameters through these segmented controls without affecting the underlying spreadsheet data structure, allowing isolated changes that maintain data integrity while enabling flexible chart customization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts chart configuration capabilities from the spreadsheet data structure itself and places them directly on the chart canvas. This extraction allows users to modify chart-specific parameters (such as data ranges, titles, and formatting) independently of the source data, preventing unintended changes to the underlying spreadsheet while maintaining chart flexibility.
3Adaptability or versatility
If users embed charts in presentation slides using traditional methods, then the chart can be included, but users must switch between spreadsheet and presentation applications increasing complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements universal on-canvas controls that function across multiple contexts - working within the spreadsheet application and when charts are embedded in presentation slides. The same intuitive controls and interaction methods are available regardless of whether the chart is being created or modified in the spreadsheet or within a presentation slide, eliminating the need to learn different interfaces for different applications.
Data Source
AI summary
The technology disclosed improves the creation, modification and presentation of spreadsheet charts. The technology makes creating charts from non-contiguous data, i.e., data requiring more than one non-contiguous ranges, easy and intuitive for users. Instead of placing the inputs in pop-ups, drop-downs and/or sidebars employing ribbons and other steps, the inputs are placed on the desired chart proximate to where the populated data will display. The inputs accept typed text, spreadsheet cells and provide a selector for cell selection. Embodiments will pre-populate title locations accepting similar inputs, add color for easier information identification and provide user sidebar or other input options. Error and warning messages are provided to help users generate the chart they desire.